Austin Astronomical Society - Observatory Reports

COE Star Party Nov 3, 2012

04 Nov 2012 1:04 AM | Anonymous member

Canyon of Eagles Star Party

James Hall
6:30p-10:15pm
Estimated Guests: 25 (Mostly from nearby resort, campgrounds, RV park)

Summary:

Arrived about 6:30 pm. Lots of dark clouds everywhere, but some gaps that I was hoping would open up wider as the night progressed.

Grounds were mowed well some minor candy bar wrappers and other trash in parking lot, but easily picked up.

Uncovered Scopes, Telrads working well. Eye pieces intact. Lights setup in the parking lot reflectors and parking signs but seem like they are starting to get dim and may need batteries soon. Donation light working. Their are 2 clamp lights in the south desk. One had dead batteries and the other someone had accidently left on. It was very dim so I found 2 AA batteries in the cabinet and was able to get one of them going bright enough to see the eye pieces. I'll try and remember to grab some additional AA batteries from home on my next trip. Observatory roofs opened fine. Observatory lights on. Noticed one of the outer lights facing the parking lot is now glowing a nice red, I believe Darin/Dana fixed it. I uncovered our new display. Internet not working.

Did not test tracking on scopes due to sky conditions.

A few guest started arriving immediately around sunset, I showed them around the observatory while waiting for sky to part.

I entertained guests with AAS history, outreach programs information, and various astronomy apps. I'm having trouble with my iPad/HDMI adapter working all the time. I'm going to try and get an airplay device for myself so I can hook my iPad up to the display wirelessly next time. I was able to show off various types of astronomy videos and solar system models.

A family showed up and brought their own scope, but they didn't have much luck with the sky either.

Most guests didn't stay long due to sky conditions. I tried to slew scopes a couple of times to pockets of clear sky, but they were quickly closed off almost as soon as I put the scopes on them. Many vowed to return on a public night or another COE resort night.

I had to close the roof due to threatening lighting from the west. All guest gone by 10:00 p.m. Totally clouded over.

I noticed their was some glow in the dark paint on the table that lead down the path. I thought that worked pretty well, but wished it was all the way down the sides of the tables.

Observatory secured, I packed up and left at 10:15 am.

Temp 72 degrees

- James Hall

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COE Star Party Oct 20, 2012

21 Oct 2012 11:09 AM | Anonymous member

Canyon of Eagles Star Party
James Hall
7:30p-11:55pm
Estimated Guests: 40 (Mostly from nearby resort, campgrounds, RV park)

Summary:

Arrived about 7:00 pm. I was very excited to try out our new 52 in display at a real star party, so couldn't wait to get started.

Grounds were mowed well other than some thorny areas close to the door needed to be stomped down, observatory secure. J.P. (Director of Park Services) stopped by to say hi on his golf cart. It was nice to meet him in person. He is just checking up things and looking for some additional observatory coverage for ranger bill who is out ill right now.

Uncovered Scopes, Telrads working well. Eye pieces mostly intact but some rubber rings were loosely scattered in case and some caps on the wrong eyepieces (easily fixed), I put the loose rubber rings in the cabinet for now. Lights up in the parking lot reflectors and parking signs. Donation light working. Observatory roofs opened fine. Observatory lights on. Noticed the outer lights facing the parking lot are starting to lose their red coating. I'll try and remember to see if we have replacement bulbs in the cabinets next time. I uncovered our new display, but noticed the cardboard cover is starting to break down on the bottom (tape is not holding to cardboard). I think Darin had some ideas for reinforcing the display cover. I would also like to try and figure out if we can get some kind of astronomy decoration on that 52 inch cover. Maybe we could get a big AAS logo printed up and stuck to it, or some astronomy picture.

A few guest started arriving immediately around sunset, I showed them around the observatory and until it was dark enough to start viewing. However, it quickly became a very cloudy night. About a half full moon was the main target all night. Both the Harlan and the Ealing tracked about 80%. The Harlan spotting scope is way off target, but the telrad was a good backup. Mars was the secondary target at the start of the night until clouds parted enough to see the Hercules cluster.

I was able to put the scopes up on the moon, Mars, M13, and Jupiter as clouds parted briefly. Due to the clouds, most of the night I entertained guests with the normal sky tour, AAS history, outreach programs information, and various astronomy apps. I tried out the new display with my iPad and PC connection. I was able to show off star size comparisons and video of the stars going around the super massive black hole at the center of our own spiral galaxy. It seemed to work well. I turned down the brightness of the display to its lowest settings and even turned it off when ever we needed to view westward to help with dark adaption.

Nice mix of children and adults. The best moment of the night was when we saw a few shooting stars from the meteor show pop in between clouds. Also nice to be able to show off Jupiter just before shutting down the observatory.

Note: Several guest mentioned they wished there was better lighting along the path to and from the parking lot. I believe we are still working on that but hoping someone reading this can confirm.

All guest gone by 11:45 p.m.

Observatory secured, I packed up and left at 12:10 am.

I had to dodge a suicidal raccoon on the road back, which is a different experience that the suicidal deer I usually see jumping in front of my truck at night.

Temp 75 degrees

- James Hall

Saturday, October 13, 2012

16 Oct 2012 6:03 PM | Anonymous member

EEO Maintenance
Saturday, October 13, 2012
3:00p-10:00p
Darin Koch, James Hall

Although members' night was canceled due to overcast weather, I went out with James Hall to install the new 52" Sharp LED HDTV monitor purchased from Best Buy on the west wall. I swept most of the floors after moving the large desk beneath the wall space to clean. We moved the EEO Messier Member plaque to the south where the Moon picture hung and relocated the Milky Way picture beneath it. The Moon picture is resting on the floor against the south wall beneath the Messier poster for the time being. This will be temporary until I find a better place for it.

The monitor is ready for any computer device with VGA input or HDMI input. Observatory operators must supply their own adapter to connect their personal device. I have yet to attach an 1/8" stereo plug wire so that those with laptops can plug into their headphone jack and transfer the sound to the monitor's downward facing speakers if needed. Obviously, not needed if your device supports HDMI output.

A medium gray acrylic glare filter was purchased from Regal Plastics has been installed to improve nighttime viewing glare. It is kept in place with clips in various positions. It is easily removable for daytime viewing, but I hope it doesn't get removed much. We outfitted a cover made of the cardboard box it came in to keep the dust to a minimum. Rather than just a collapsable tarp cover, I like the box look and later plan to weatherize it better. At least now we'll see for a few months what kind of weather treatment it's getting.

All in all, it looks and performs great! The glare shield is a plus. Theft deterrent is intact for those who are wondering. It won't be an easy task. Plus the club does have insurance against such events. I also purchased a 4 yr extended warranty if it breaks on it's own.

James replaced the old tennis balls with 3 new ones on the Ealing's protruding bolts on the rear counterweight.

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Friday Oct 5, 2012

08 Oct 2012 5:14 PM | Anonymous member

Friday Oct 5, 2012

CoE Star Party

Darin Koch

7:45p-12:43a

Guests: 65

Upon arrival after sunset, the front gate was open. Park was said to be quite full, but no cars parked or any people or members. Just me. So who left the front gate open? Skies were cloudy in the west at first, but later moved south providing good transparent skies. Grounds excellent, EEO floors good. Internet not working. Both scopes working. Ealing tracked 100% on M13, and Jupiter. Donations light is working.

One elderly lady actually asked about a donation box and a light to see it to make a donation after I mentioned that we're planning on acquiring a large monitor to hang on the wall. I didn't have the donation light on at that time, until she spoke. I said nothing about "if you feel compelled we're accepting donations."

This crowd was mostly older adults and one little boy, that came later with his family. With the size of this crowd, the Harlan did not get bumped off target at all the whole evening! That is a record my friends. Einstein never told me there'd ever be a day like this.

I set up my 25x100 binos out front and many had brought lawn chairs and sat watched the beautiful milky way.We saw M31, Albierio, M57, M27, M22, M8, Moon rising and Jupiter. Last guests got to see a meteor split in two right across Cyngus as i was aiming the Harlan Smith for M27, boom...there it was very bright and side by side trailed across about 15º of sky!

I finally had a chance to set a timer in the shed for the new A/C to turn on at 9a and off at 8p every day. It is set midway at level 5. Compressor was not on when i got to it at midnite, but fan always turn. Outside, i noticed quite a large eroded depression in the ground due to condensation drip. Bought 3 new green tennis balls to replace the old ones for the Ealing. I forgot my sharp utility knife to install them. I also put a new drill bits box in the Ealing storage cabinet for convenience. I tested out two different solar lights i converted to red out front at the parking entrance. They looked ok for a couple hours, but dimmed to zero when i left. Not a good idea. May seem they loose their vitality within a month. I didn't use the other lights sitting on the desk, but they'd be the only idea that works for now. I next wanna work with glow in the dark tape strips to mark the walkpath such as a dotted line system.

Left at 12:43a temp 71º

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Friday, Sept 21, COE Star Party

22 Sep 2012 9:59 AM | Anonymous member

CoE Star Party
James Hall
7:30p-11:30pm
Guests: 30

Summary:

Arrived about 7:30pm.

Grounds were good, observatory secure. Lights up in the parking lot reflectors and parking signs. Observatory lights on. Donation light working. Observatory roofs opened fine but had some slight difficulty opening new type of knots that someone used to anchor the ropes. Opened North and South doors with no issues except for thorny brush around south doors.

Uncovered Scopes, Telrads working well. Eye pieces intact.

Other AAS members such as Terry, Jim, and my brother Jon showed up and helped with Star Party all night. Guest started arriving immediately around sunset, I showed them around the observatory until it was dark enough to start viewing. Very clear night. Almost a half full moon. Both the Harlan and the Ealing tracked fairly well. I tried my bino viewers on the Harlan, but it didn't work to well, so just used it normally the rest of the night.

I put the scopes up on the moon, Mars, M13, M15, M57 and Mizar double throughout the night. I was able to entertain guests with the normal sky tour, AAS history, outreach programs information, and various astronomy apps as they waited in line. Nice mix of children and adults including this one very young child who just kept saying "wow" and "thank you so much" ever time he saw the moon. It was very cute.

All guest gone by 11:15.

Terry took over observatory and was going to stay out to keep observing.

I packed up and left at 11:30pm.

Temp 68 degrees

- James Hall

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Saturday, September 1, 2012 CoE Star Party

02 Sep 2012 9:31 AM | Anonymous member

Saturday, September 1, 2012
CoE Star Party
James Hall
8:00p-12:30a
Guests: 70

Summary:

Arrived about 8:00 to COE and notified front desk that observatory will be open soon. It looked like the small clear AAS donation box was slightly hidden by some stuffed animals to the left of the desk. I put a couple of bucks in and pulled it slightly more in view.

Grounds were good, observatory secure. Lights up in the parking lot reflectors and parking signs. Observatory lights on. Donation light working. Observatory temp on wall said 102 degrees. Both roofs opened fine this time. Opened North and South doors with no issues except for thorny brush around south doors. I setup my binocular mount just outside the front of observatory.

Uncovered Scopes, Telrads working well. Eye pieces intact.

Several guest started arriving immediately around sunset, I showed them around the observatory until it was dark enough to start viewing. The night began by putting the Harlan on Saturn and then put Ealing on Mars. It's was so much fun to hear the adults say "Wow" just as much as the kid. (Saturn never fails to impress.) Both the Harlan and the Ealing tracked fairly well about 80% (with the normal issues with the Ealing not wanting to go one of the directions on the joystick). It wasn't long before Saturn was gone below the west wall.

There was a brief funny moment when something came flapping around my face while I was walking between the scopes. It was dark, so I couldn't see it very well, but it kept bumping into my face and head as I was trying to swat it away. The guests laughed and got a big kick out it for a minute. I thought it might have been some kind of giant moth, they thought it looked like a tiny bat.

A very bright moon was coming up in the East, so I knew it was time to switch targets. I put the scopes up on the moon, M13, Arcturus, Antares, and Mizar double throughout the night. I was able to entertain guests with the normal sky tour, AAS history, outreach programs information, and various astronomy apps as they waited in line. There were several guests that put donations in the observatory donation box. Many people said they planned to come back on a dark public night to see more objects. The last group left about midnight.

No problems closing the roofs this time. (I'm guessing the pulley problem might have gone away.)

Lights out, Observatory secured., I packed up and left at 12:30am

Temp 84 degrees

- James Hall

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COE Star Party Aug 31, 2012

01 Sep 2012 1:11 AM | Anonymous member

Friday, August 31, 2012
CoE Star Party
James Hall
8:00p-11:45p
Guests: 20

Summary:

Arrived about 8:00 to COE. It was mostly cloudy about 80 percent overcast as I pulled into the resort. I noticed they set out a small clear donation box on the counter of the resort office when you walk in. I don't remember the exact words, but it says something like "Donations to Austin Astronomical Society". It already had a couple dollars and some change in it, so I added a few dollars to the box as well in order to help get that new display for the observatory. The resort host (Terri) said she would start sending the guests down about 8:30pm. So I went to the observatory to get setup.

Grounds were good, observatory secure. A bunch of thorn bushes starting to grow up around the south door. So be aware if opening that door. I put the lights out in the parking lot reflectors and signs. Observatory lights on. Donation light working. Internet working. (0.52Mbps up / 0.36Mbps down) When trying to open the roof with the north ropes, I noticed the pulley system was getting caught up outside the observatory. This made it hard to open. I went out to the pull and straightened it out. After that it seemed to open fine.

Telrads working well. Guest started arriving about 8:30pm but was only able to show off the blue moon for most of the night. Both the Harlan and the Ealing tracked fairly well tonight, but I didn't move them around much since full moon and clouds blocking out most objects. Unfortunately, Mars and Saturn were covered up throughout the night with clouds. I entertained guests with AAS history, our outreach programs and various astronomy apps. By 10pm the clouds started parting a little better. So I was able to get scopes up on the moon, M13, Arcturus, Antares, and Mizar double. All guests left by 11:30pm.

As I closed the North roof, I noticed the pulley was caught on the rope again just outside the observatory which made it hard to close. I freed it up up again, but I'm 6 foot 5 inches tall, so it's fairly easy for me to reach up there. If someone else has to go outside the observatory to keep clearing the pulley it might be harder for them. Basically, it looks like one of the ropes keeps sliding off one of the pulleys. If I knew more about pulleys and it wasn't so dark, I may have been able to tell more about what was going on with it.

I packed up and left at 11:45pm.

Temp 87 degrees

- James Hall

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COE Star Party Aug 25, 2012

26 Aug 2012 1:56 AM | Anonymous member

Saturday, August 25, 2012
CoE Star Party
James Hall
8:10p-12:15a
Guests: 30

Summary: Grounds good, but some of the table lights covers appear to be broken and banging in the wind. I tried to place them back on top, but they kept falling down. Lawn mowed.

Arrived about 8:10 to COE. It was raining lightly as I pulled into the observatory. But the sky was only partly cloudy and quit within a few minutes. Nice strong breeze from the south kept the observatory cool. I put the lights out in the parking lot reflectors and signs and had them blinking as seen at last star party. Observatory lights on. Donation light working. Bright moon lighting the path well between cloud gaps. Telrads working well.

Guests began arriving immediately, I put the Harlan on Saturn and the Ealing on the moon. Both only seemed to track about 80%. The joystick on the Ealing seems to have a hard time with one of the directions. Since dark clouds and lighting we still threatening to the south. Nice mix of children and adults. I ended up closing the south roof while I put the Ealing on Saturn and Mars between clouds. By 9pm clouds had covered most of the sky and I entertained guests with the normal history of EEO and showed off the Messier posters. Then pulled out the iPad apps to demonstrate where we are located in our own milky way galaxy and where in the sky the nearest exoplanet is located that is in the habitable zone. I was also able to demonstrate the Solar walk app and how to predict the best time to see your favorite planets. I saw someone put in a donation in the donation box. The sky began clearing and cleared more and more the rest of the evening throughout midnight. I was able to get both scopes up on the moon, M13, and Double star. Most guests left by 11:30 with just a few left over that want to just sit around and look for shooting stars.

One of the last guests had setup a small scope of his own on one of the tables. He said he was thinking about getting one of those cheap Orion Star shoot USB cameras to put in his scope. I mentioned that I had one that he could try just sitting in my bag. We put it in his scope and we were both impressed with the view through his scope. It wasn't a very high resolution, but the level of zoom on the moon surprised me. I attached it to the Ealing and took some decent low res movies of the moon craters. The last of the guests wrapped up their own viewing and left around 12:00am so, I packed up as well and left shortly afterward.

All in all a good night of outreach.

- James Hall

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COE Star Party Saturday August 4, 2012

05 Aug 2012 9:16 AM | Anonymous member

Saturday, August 4, 2012
CoE Star Party
James Hall
8:00p-12:00a
Guests: 40

Grounds good, some minor trash picked up. Mowed area looks great. Some light covers on the tables appeared knocked over so I put them back on top their lights. EEO floors and desks looked good. Chairs still need to be replaced. Internet working .44 d/.26 u. Both scopes working. Ealing tracked 80%. Donation light working.

Seeing was good, saw Mars, Saturn, M13. Entertained may guests with usual iPad apps for watching the sky and did several new presentation such as showing the Mars Globe and Gale crater for where Mars rover will land this weekend. Answered lots of questions and pointed out many constellations. The Waning Gibbous Moon rose about 11:00 and was able to show it to a few guests that stayed that late. Nice crowd.

Left at 12:00a.

- James Hall

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Friday August 3, 2012

04 Aug 2012 12:25 PM | Anonymous member

Friday August 3, 2012
CoE Star Party
Darin Koch
8:30p-1:00a
Guests: 35

Grounds excellent, just mowed, EEO floors still good. Internet
working .40 d/.40 u. Both scopes working. Ealing tracked 90%.
Donation light working.

Seeing was pretty good, as Mars could be made out in the Harlan with
land markings at 423x. Saturn was excellent thru the Ealing at 144x.
Set up my 25x100 binos on the field and everyone enjoyed the views.
Saw M51, M57, M13, the Double Double. The 95% Waning Gibbous Moon
rose about 10:30p and was quite bright. One young boy about 5-6 was
very very curious and excited about anything that moved. Maybe that's
a future astronomer!? Very nice crowd.

Took measurements of the a/c in the shed to search for a replacement.
While taking a paint inventory in the shed last night I also
discovered a large dormant wasp nest above the loft hanging from the
ceiling. Many mud dobber nests was in there and some still are after
pulling a couple that were in reach. The hornet nest is still at the
top of the antenna mast. Be careful.

Someone's still trying to make knots in the pull ropes in the
observatory to make taut with bungee clasp rope to keep from tying
down on the provided tie downs.

Left at 1:30a. temp 84º

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